Page 69 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘Well, yes, partly. He is never far from my thoughts. I’m convinced he must still be alive. I would be able to sense it otherwise. Your mother has kindly offered to find positions for Ramon and Sophia once we’ve dealt with Dawson, and as soon as this wretched war is over, I intend to return to Spain and conduct a search for Eduardo myself.’ Her voice was full of resolve. ‘I worry that he will return home, you see, and when he doesn’t find us there he’s bound to think the worst.’
Adam had his own ideas about Sophia and Ramon. No siblings of his future wife would enter domestic service.
She sighed. ‘Things are such a muddle in Spain now. Napoleon’s Grande Armée is in disarray, what with its communications and supplies being disrupted by Partisans, and units cut off.’
‘You think your brother might be in the thick of all that?’
‘I wouldn’t put it past him,’ she said with a sad little smile. ‘He can be quite hotheaded.’
‘A family failing?’
‘Hardly that. Anyway, I fear for the future of my country. The government is falling apart, and the quarrelling provincial juntas don’t seem to be able to agree about anything.’
‘It seems to me that your brother has an instinct for survival.’
‘I wish I shared your optimism.’ She reached up and ran a finger down the cleft in his chin.
‘There is something else on your mind.’
She lifted one shoulder. ‘I’m probably just imagining things.’
‘Allow me to be the judge of that.’
She raised her head from his chest and held his gaze. ‘In the three days since you confided in your mother about Philippa, I’ve been unable to shake off the feeling that I am being watched.’
Adam tensed. Florentina wasn’t given to fanciful notions. ‘Have you noticed anyone actually following you?’
‘Well, no. As I say, I’m probably just imagining things.’
‘You are on edge, waiting for news of Dawson. That’s only to be expected. I wish I could be with you more than I already am.’
She smiled. ‘Adam, we’ve been together in this summerhouse every night since the masquerade. And you have called every day at the dower house at times when you know I will be there. What more could you possibly do? Please don’t concern yourself about me. I’m accustomed to taking care of myself.’
‘Even so, if someone is watching you, I would very much like to know why.’
‘They can’t know about our trysts here, if that’s what concerns you. I have not felt eyes watching me when I come to meet you at night.’
‘That’s the very least of my worries.’ He kissed the pulse that was beating at the base of her throat. ‘I am not ashamed of you, or of our relationship, and were it not for the damage it would do to your reputation I shouldn’t care who knows about it.’
She smiled. ‘Thank you, but I wouldn’t permit you to shout about us. I don’t care for my reputation, but I would not want to publicly embarrass your mother.’
Adam waggled his brows at her. ‘You think she doesn’t already know?’
‘Oh, Lord, I certainly hope she doesn’t. Whatever must she think of me?’
‘I suspect she adores you almost as much as I do.’
‘Well, I don’t know about that.’ The compliment appeared to fluster her. ‘I’m more concerned about Philippa. I would very much like to know what she intends to do to make mischief for me, then I can prepare myself to fight back.’
Adam chuckled. ‘If she has one iota of sense, she’ll think twice before taking you, or my mother, on.’
‘Perhaps she now agrees with you since her call at the dower house yesterday.’ Florentina laughed. ‘Your mother was magnificent, and the duchess left not knowing what to think. She called, obviously intending to overset your mama by regaling her with details of a party she plans to hold for a rather unsavoury selection of guests. When the dowager merely smiled and told Philippa that the company was no less than she deserved, I don’t know how I kept my countenance. Philippa expected to shock but was the one who finished up being discomposed. I have never admired your mother more.’
‘Philippa would be ill-advised to underestimate her.’ Adam’s hands had abandoned Florentina’s breast and were exploring the soft inner surface of her thigh. ‘I’m glad now that I warned her what to expect.’
*
After making passionate love to Florentina, Adam held her in his arms and watched her sleep, the shadows of late afternoon reflected in the windows of the summerhouse. For him sleep was impossible. His mind was occupied with thoughts of who could be keeping her under observation. Philippa was the obvious culprit. But if she was behind it, he doubted whether she would undertake the surveillance herself. Who would she trust to watch Florentina? King perhaps? She would feel a sense of poetic justice in setting up that particular course of action. King must desire Florentina all the more because she had rejected him, and be anxious for revenge too. Were he to come upon her whilst she was alone, there was no saying what action jealousy might direct him toward. Adam scowled, unprepared to take that chance. He would find a way to ensure that she never ventured out alone until this business was done with.
